A Hoarding Alliance local resource guide
You deserve support that starts with your priorities—not judgment. This guide gathers local and regional options for people affected by hoarding and clutter, including friends and family.
Start here - Fight the Blight
You do not need to solve everything at once. Start with a conversation, a practical service, or a safety concern. Call ahead to confirm service area, current hours, cost, eligibility, accessibility, and availability.
A people-first place to begin when clutter or hoarding is affecting you or someone you care about. Ask about respectful next steps and virtual groups. You do not have to agree to discard belongings to start a conversation.
Role: nonprofit hoarding-support front door and virtual peer groups; geography: ask about Franklin County and online options; cost/eligibility: confirm group access, fit, and any cost; emergency limit: peer support—not therapy, crisis response, or cleanup
For immediate danger, fire, or urgent medical need, call 911. For behavioral-health crisis support, call or text 988; Apalachee Center lists a 24/7 Mobile Response Team line at 800-342-0774 for Franklin County. The county says it has no tropical-weather shelters; event-specific shelter openings may be outside the county. Disaster shelter and evacuation transport are not routine housing. Refuge House supports people affected by domestic or sexual violence, not general shelter placement. Confirm current services directly; no listing guarantees a bed, appointment, benefit, ride, or cleanup.
First conversations
You do not need to know the perfect service name before reaching out. These organizations can help you understand the landscape and identify a next step.
A private-pay pathway for people seeking hoarding-related support, including practical help and support for family or friends. Ask what is available in your location and what it costs before scheduling.
Unburied offers a digital way to find peer connection and practical support at your own pace. It is not a substitute for emergency help or qualified clinical care.
Call 211 for help locating current local food, housing, utility, and other referrals. Ask about openings and requirements before traveling.
Safety and stability
These pathways serve different situations. Read the labels carefully before calling, especially when a response may involve crisis care, protective services, shelter, housing rules, legal advocacy, or emergency dispatch.
If someone is in immediate danger, a fire is active, or urgent medical help is needed, call 911. If safe, give the exact location and describe the immediate hazard.
Call or text 988 for emotional distress or a behavioral-health crisis. If there is immediate danger or urgent medical need, call 911.
Apalachee Center lists its Mobile Response Team as available 24/7 at 800-342-0774 and includes Franklin County. Call to confirm whether the service fits the situation; use 911 for immediate danger.
The hospital lists a 24/7 emergency department at 135 Avenue G. Call 911 for urgent transport or when it is not safe to travel yourself.
Refuge House lists Franklin County support and a 24-hour hotline. This service is for people affected by domestic or sexual violence; ask directly about current safety options and availability.
The county says it has no tropical-weather shelters; an event-specific shelter may open in another county. Check official updates before traveling and do not treat disaster shelter as a routine housing placement.
People who may need assistance during a disaster can ask about the county's Special Needs Registry. Confirm that the registry and any shelter option can meet the person's needs.
The county describes evacuation transport to designated shelters for residents without transportation during qualifying mandatory evacuations. Apply and confirm how to request a ride; do not wait for an emergency to learn the process.
For concerns that may meet Florida's abuse, neglect, or exploitation reporting criteria, use the state's reporting line. It is not a substitute for emergency dispatch or a general home-safety inspection.
People and practical help
These listings connect the local community with housing, food, behavioral health, benefits, transit, survivor advocacy, disability support, peer support, and practical resources. Ask about current availability, cost, scope, consent, and safety before relying on them.
The center lists Franklin County services at 159 12th Street, Apalachicola. Call to confirm the right service, intake requirements, hours, payer options, and current costs.
The authority describes public-housing eligibility factors and lists its office at 141 15th Street. A current waitlist or immediate opening was not verified; call before completing plans.
The county's page said applications were not being processed during system and process updates as of May 1, 2026. Recheck the official page or call the county before relying on this program.
The agency's crisis-application page lists Franklin County and describes income and past-due-bill criteria. The portal has stated weekday application hours; verify the current fiscal-year rules, open funding, and required documents before applying.
The county identifies Big Bend Transit as its community transportation coordinator. County materials differ on fares; call to verify current fare, eligibility, service area, booking lead time, and accessibility before depending on a ride.
The county clinic page lists the Apalachicola location at 139 12th Street and public-health services. Confirm current hours, appointments, eligibility, and any fees before visiting.
The coalition lists county food resources, but some posted schedules may be old. Call to confirm the pantry location, hours, requirements, and current supplies before traveling.
The network describes connections related to meals, grocery delivery, home repairs, and accessibility. Some details may be dated; ask which services are currently operating and whether the household qualifies.
Ask City Hall whether a specific property is in the city service area, what routine collection covers, and how to handle bulky items or yard debris. Do not assume a cleanup crew or whole-home removal is included.
Confirm whether the address receives city service and ask about account setup, billing, and current utility rules. The city lists 850-653-6845 for after-hours water emergencies.
The county lists its department at 210 Highway 65, Eastpoint. Call before loading a vehicle to confirm the correct facility, operating hours, accepted materials, and current charges.
The city lists library services and public access resources. Confirm current hours, internet access, and any identification or borrowing requirements.
Use Florida's official portal to review and apply for benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid. The state determines eligibility; ask DCF about application help and status.
The nonprofit provides legal-aid intake for eligible civil matters. Ask whether the issue and household qualify and what documents to provide; urgent court deadlines may need a lawyer promptly.
A note from the Alliance
This guide is anchored in Apalachicola, Florida, and includes city, county, state, nonprofit, national, and independent pathways. A listing here does not mean Fight the Blight endorses every provider or can guarantee availability. The Hoarding Alliance is not a city or county agency, therapy practice, emergency service, or cleanup company. We will keep reviewing this page, but please confirm details directly before relying on them.
Need help choosing a path? Contact Fight the Blight